Among those decisions was her "unexpected" partnership with Obama after the contentious 2008 presidential primary.

"I've served our country in one way or another for decades. Yet during my years as Secretary of State, I learned even more about our exceptional strengths and what it will take for us to compete and thrive at home and abroad," Clinton writes. "I hope this book will be of use to anyone who wants to know what America stood for in the early years of the 21st century, as well as how the Obama Administration confronted great challenges in a perilous time."

The excerpts – released by Simon & Schuster, the book's publisher, and provided to CNN by representatives for Clinton – come from the memoir's four-page author's note section. The release also comes with a 10-minute audio clip of Clinton reading the passage.

Clinton adds that she didn't write her memoir for the "followers of Washington's long-running soap opera – who took what side, who opposed whom, who was up and who was down."

Instead Clinton writes that she wrote the book for "Americans and people everywhere who are trying to make sense of this rapidly changing world of ours" and "anyone anywhere who wonders whether the United States still has what it takes to lead."

"Talk of America's decline has become commonplace, but my faith in our future has never been greater," Clinton adds. "While there are few problems in today's world that the United States can solve alone, there are even fewer that can be solved without the United States. Everything that I have done and seen has convinced me that America remains the 'indispensable nation.' I am just as convinced, however, that our leadership is not a birthright. It must be earned by every generation."

Clinton's memoir has been highly anticipated since she left her role as America's top diplomat in early 2013, primarily because the former first lady has been weighing a run at the presidency in 2016.

Because of that, the release of "Hard Choices" is an important moment for Clinton. Critics have charged that her time at State was marked by a lack of a crowning achievement, while Clinton confidants have looked to frame those years as a success and see the book as the most potent way to do that.

Clinton has crisscrossed the United States for the past six months, giving speeches to different corporate groups and college campuses. The themes of those speeches - America's future and Clinton's decision making process - are seen throughout Tuesday's excerpt release.

The former first lady and senator from New York has said the book begins with her accepting President Barack Obama's offer to become secretary of state and covers a range of topics, including Iran, Syria and Libya.

She has joked that the memoir will be "just another light summer read" and will cover topics from "Crimea to climate change."

But the book will also likely reflect on the whole of Clinton's life, too. In the author's note, Clinton references her decision to follow her heart and move to Arkansas with Bill Clinton and how her heart "burst with love at the birth of our daughter, Chelsea."

This is the second release of "Hard Choices" excerpts. Earlier this month – in honor of Mother's Day – Vogue Magazine published excerpts from the book that pertained to Clinton's mother - Dorothy Howell Rodham - and her death in 2011.

Clinton will speak at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto on June 16 and then two days later – on June 18 – Clinton will speak at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. The former first lady will appear in Austin on June 20 and then five days later, on June 25, the former first lady will speak in San Francisco. Clinton will also appear on June 14 at a Costco in Arlington, Virginia.

soundoff(32 Responses)

iceload

She's lunching with bankers and has senate dems hawking for her. And now a book. They really have the machine cranked up. It would seem early at first glance for a presidential run but the dems are going for a twofer. They get attention before the next elections and then the presidential race.

May 27, 2014 11:55 am at 11:55 am |

Gurgyl

Yes, on Hillary16.

May 27, 2014 11:56 am at 11:56 am |

Dave

Karl Rove is older, fatter and staler than am old piece of cracker bread.

May 27, 2014 11:56 am at 11:56 am |

Biden

Clinton might not make it this time as the left want Elizabeth Warren. Fortunately we won't have any birther issues this time as everyone knows Senator Warren was born in a teepee and is the subject of Cher's greatest hit, "Cherokee Woman".

May 27, 2014 12:01 pm at 12:01 pm |

Just

She may be the only one who believes she ever accomplished anything....strange.

May 27, 2014 12:01 pm at 12:01 pm |

agalag

Don't be fooled. This piece of white trash is only in politics because no one in the private sector would ever put up with the BS that she and her low-life husband have wreaked upon the American people. The Clintons started out in Arkansas with very little money and are now millionaires. Bill Clinton is the most wealthy ex-president of all time. Don't EVER forget Vince Foster and Benghazi...

Salty,
I think I was pretty clear and I think it's quite new information based on all of the complaints. Is your response relevant? Do you have any reaction or do you just want to excuse the actions of your side because, well, it's your side so it's ok.